THIS TOUR IS FULLY BOOKEDWe have another departure of this tour in June 2018

.

.

Accommodation

Transport

Meals

15 nights Hotels

Airport Transfers

3 dinners

1 night overnight train

Train

23 Breakfasts

3 nights houseboat

Mini Bus and/or Private Vehicles (4WD)

2 lunches

4 nights tents

Auto Rickshaw

Cycle Rickshaw

.

This is a new and very exotic Himalayan adventure throughout the Indian Himalayas.

First we journey to Ladakh through Himachal Pradesh, visiting Shimla, McLeod Ganj and Manali before driving the spectacular Manali – Leh road. In and around Leh we explore the Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake and also experience the Hemis Festival. Heading west we drive through the upper Himalayas along one of the most stunning drives in the world to Kashmir, and Srinagar, holiday mecca of India.

Experience Incredible India and the Himalayas on this Small Group Tour, fully escorted within India by a western tour leader with the service of local guides for various activities and sightseeing.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Delhi

Arrival Day. We meet at 12pm for a short meeting about the tour before heading out for an afternoon of sightseeing in New Delhi.

Hotel: The Claridges

Day 2 Delhi / Overnight Train

We explore Old Delhi this morning and have free time this afternoon before departing on an overnight train trip to Kalka, the boarding point of the Shimla Toy Train.

Hotel: Overnight Train

Day 3 Shimla

We board the World Heritage Toy Train this morning for a 5 hour journey on this famous mountain railway. Arriving in Shimla late morning we have the afternoon to explore fascinating Shimla, the former summer capital of the British Raj.

Hotel: Clarkes Hotel or similar

Day 4 Shimla

We explore Shimla and surroundings today.

Hotel: Clarkes Hotel or similar

Day 5 McLeod Ganj

Today we drive to McLeod Ganj, home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile. McLeod Ganj is a touristy, yet charming town nestled high in the Himalayas surrounded by snow-covered peaks

Hotel: Surya McLeod or similar

Day 6 McLeod Ganj

Whilst we are here in McLeod Ganj, visit the Norbalinka Institute of Tibetan Handicraft, the Namgyal Monastery, and if possible, the Karmapa Lama. There are also plenty of walks on offer to nearby villages, or high into the hills.

Hotel: Surya McLeod or similar

Day 7 Manali

We drive on to Manali today via the tea gardens at Palampur. Manali, a favourite Indian holiday destination is also a very spiritual part of the Himalayas and a favourite with many long-time Indian travellers.

Hotel: Mayflower or similar

Day 8 Manali

A day in and around Manali with optional day walks.

Hotel: Mayflower or similar

Days 9-10 Jespa/Sarchu

We have a two day drive along one of the most spectacular roads in the Himalayas, crossing the Rohtang Pass and into the Lahaul & Spiti valleys, stopping the night at Jespa. On day 10 we continue over the Baralacha La Pass north and have a second night at Sarchu, situated at 4100m.

Today’s drive is breathtaking as we head into Ladakh, caught in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, this land is a high altitude desert with some of the most incredible landscape scenery you’ll ever see.

Hotel: Shangri La or similar

Day 12 Leh

We take a day to relax and acclimatise to the high altitude of Leh

(3500m) with a trip to Hemis Monastery to experience the fascinating Hemis Festival in all it’s flamboyant colour and ritual.

Hotel: Shangri La or similar

Days 13-14 Nubra Valley

Heading over the highest motorable road in the world, we travel to the remote Nubra valley. We have a full day to hike through villages and countryside enjoying the local culture and scenery.

Hotel: Desert Himalaya Camp or similar

Day 15 Leh

We return to Leh and take some time out to visit some of the towns sights and monasteries.

Hotel: Shangri La or similar

Day 16 Pangong

An overnight trip to Pangong Tso, which is a 134km long lake situated in both India and Tibet. A filming location for many Bollywood movies as well as international films, Pangong Lake is breathtakingly beautiful and with changing hues as the day progresses, worth staying overnight for.

Hotel: Pangong Sarai or similar

Day 17 Leh

We return to Leh for a free afternoon relaxing and exploring the town.

Hotel: Shangri La or similar

Days 18-19 Uleytokpo/Kargil

We spend two nights on our second spectacular scenic Himalayan mountain drive to Kashmir. Heading west from Leh, we head first to Uleytokpo via the monastery villages of Basgo, Likir and Alchi. On day 19 we travel on to Kargil, the second largest town in Ladakh after Leh.

We continue on today to Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, often called Paradise on Earth, Srinagar was a summer getaway even for the Moghul Emperors back in the 17th century. Famous for it’s houseboats on the idyllic mountain reflecting Dal Lake.

Hotel: Royal Houseboats or similar

Days 21-22 Srinagar

We spend two full days exploring the sights in and around Srinagar including the Moghul Gardens and nearby locations, such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam.

Hotel: Royal Houseboats or similar

Day 23 Delhi

After a free morning, we take an afternoon flight over the Himalayas to Delhi for our final night. After checking into our hotel we head out for a final night dinner to celebrate our remarkable journey across the Indian Himalayas.

Hotel: Claridges

Day 24 Departure Day

There are no organised activities today. You are free to depart at any time.